His 0 for 11 start left some wondering when Johnson would take a checkered flag.

The six-time champ can check that off the list after winning the Coca-Cola 600. Now, it's off to Dover International Speedway where Johnson is the heavy favorite today to start a winning streak — and add to his resume as the track's greatest driver.

"We are coming to my favorite racetrack," Johnson said, "and by the stats, probably our best track as well."

When Johnson held off teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr. down the stretch in September, he zipped his way into the Dover record book with his eighth win. Johnson had shared the mark of seven wins on the concrete mile with Bobby Allison and Richard Petty. He swept Dover in 2002 and 2009 and won races in 2005, 2010 and 2012. He needed only 24 starts to win eight — Petty needed 46 races to win seven times and Allison had 35 races.

Johnson was humbled by holding a place in history with NASCAR Hall of Famers.

"When I look at the people that I'm tying or have the opportunity to beat for those great titles, it's the heroes of our sport," he said. "When you look at their stats and what they've done for our sport, household names, it's no small feat to tie or have the opportunity to beat these guys for races won at the track."

Johnson held his baby daughter in his arms in Victory Lane for the first time in 2010, and he celebrated in a clown wig in 2012.

Sweet or silly, a Johnson romp at Dover has become an expected part of the NASCAR season.

His eight wins match his total at Martinsville for most at one track, checkered flags waved from the pre-Chase era through the Car of Tomorrow all the way to the Gen-6. But the cool, confident Johnson behind the wheel of the No. 48 Chevrolet with crew chief Chad Knaus calling the shots hasn't changed.

"Regardless of change, there are just some tracks that work well for you," Johnson said. "You are able to still find that feeling you are looking for regardless of circumstances."

Johnson qualified fourth for Sunday's race (Brad Keselowski won the pole), which will surely keep him in the mix for win No. 9. He won from eighth last season and has rallied from as far back as 19th in 2002 to win.

He owns the largest collection of Monster trophies awarded by the track. Known as the Monster Mile, the Dover winner gets a menacing Miles The Monster trophy that weighs 60 pounds and measures at just under 1½ feet from the base to the top of the hand that clutches a mini car.

Johnson keeps five on the top shelf of a bar at his home. He has the rest scattered around a pub set up inside a warehouse for his classic car collection.

"They're a big trophy and they certainly draw a lot of attention," Johnson said.

Johnson's not the only driver who enjoys his 400-mile spins around the concrete monster.

"This is definitely my favorite track," Joey Logano said. "I grew up in Connecticut and we aren't too far down the road from there. This is a neat place to run at."

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